Female American Airlines passenger, 41, dies after falling ill on flight to Charlotte with jet making emergency landing on paradise islands

An American Airlines passenger has died after falling ill on a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, with the jet making an emergency landing on the idyllic Turks and Caicos Islands.

The flight from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic had to divert on Wednesday after an unforeseen medical emergency.

The 41-year-old female passenger suddenly fell ill and despite the quick response and efforts by the flight crew to revive her using cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an immediate emergency landing was required so that further medical treatment could be provided, Caribbean National Weekly reports.

The plane diverted to the Providenciales International Airport at around 6.18pm, according to reports.

The passenger was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, but despite all attempts being made to save her, she was pronounced dead.

The flight had to divert yesterday evening after an unforeseen medical emergency en route from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, to Charlotte, North Carolina (Stock Image)

A beach in Turks and Cacos. The plane diverted to the Providenciales International Airport at around 6.18 pm, according to reports

A spokesperson for American Airlines told MailOnline: 'On Feb. 28, American Airlines flight 2790 with service from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) to Charlotte (CLT) diverted to Providenciales International Airport (PLS) for the medical needs of a passenger. 

'First responders met the aircraft and one passenger was taken to the local hospital. The flight continued to CLT the following day.'

In December, a small plane made an emergency landing on a North Carolina highway and erupted into flames. 

The single-engine Diamond DA-40 aircraft rammed into Interstate 26 in Ashville around 8.15pm.

The two passengers on board were taken to a local hospital, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office said.

An airport spokesman said the plane reported problems and asked for assistance just before it came down.